Moving forward together: powered by knowledge and experience

What makes Arcturus different?

Over the past 25 years, we have built a strong and reliable reputation within the insurance landscape, particularly among small and medium-sized insurers. But larger insurers and financial institutions are increasingly finding their way to us as well. Arcturus is a firm I’m proud of, and thankfully, so are all my colleagues. Clients notice that enthusiasm.

Together with other firms, we work to move the insurance sector forward, each from our own perspective and convictions. We keep one another sharp and alert.

What sets us apart? We’re often described as no-nonsense, practical and close at hand. We aim to avoid reports gathering dust in a drawer or getting stuck in endless advisory discussions. Instead, we focus on concrete solutions. One client put it like this: “You don’t make things bigger or more complex than they need to be – you provide clarity and structure, and help us take meaningful steps forward time and again.” That’s exactly how we work: strong in calculating risks, but equally strong in explaining what we do.

Accessibility is just as important. “Sometimes a client calls me spontaneously on Teams for a quick personal sounding board. Nothing makes me happier. And yes, as a partner I’m closely involved in delivery. That occasionally surprises board members, but for me it’s all about trust and long-term relationships. Not observing from the sidelines, but genuinely working together  and rolling up our sleeves when needed.”

Personal motivations

Patrick has been a Partner at Arcturus since November 2021. With his actuarial background, he focuses on the further development of Arcturus, second-line services and current themes such as sustainability. “Through my various (supervisory) roles, I’ve seen every side of the insurance table. I genuinely care about the financial health of companies and the industry. At the same time, I never lose sight of the human aspect, because ultimately it’s the people who make things happen, and the people we do it for.”

Complexity within the sector

The insurance world is known for its complex and heavily regulated environment, one that is constantly evolving. “Sharing knowledge and experience helps our clients stay in control and gives them space to look ahead, anticipate changes or respond effectively. Ultimately, as a sector, our purpose is to make risks manageable and to reduce burdens on society.”

Many board members find the material complex – just another rule to comply with. “Our role is to translate that into something that genuinely contributes to achieving strategic objectives. Compliance is often the starting point, but in the end it’s all about risk-based decision-making grounded in clear insight and oversight. Clients often look for extra support: a business partner who has this clarity and provides practical solutions they can apply immediately.”

“Many parties tell you what to do. Our value lies in showing you how to do it in a practical, pragmatic way. We stand behind the people who need to deliver the work. We don’t just show you the fish you need – we teach you to fish, with a rod that suits you.”

How do you develop and share knowledge?

“At Arcturus, developing knowledge is part of our daily work, so we invest heavily in keeping our expertise at the right level. Of course we do this through continuing professional development, but current themes and challenging client questions also keep us sharp and engaged. We intentionally develop our tools and models in-house; that matters to us. It requires insight and a deep understanding of how things work. That’s how we learn and continuously improve.

We share our knowledge and experience in various ways: we write articles, send newsletters and regularly host round-table discussions and knowledge sessions on current topics. Sustainability is a particularly relevant theme at the moment – insurers find it valuable to exchange experiences. Smaller organisations are often on their own and learn a great deal from each other and from their larger ‘siblings’. Afterwards, we often hear: ‘It’s great that we could discuss this together – it gives direction and inspiration.’ That’s exactly what we aim for.”

Internal knowledge-sharing is equally important. “When you’re proud of what you do and happy to help one another, sharing knowledge happens naturally. That sense of involvement and togetherness across our whole team is something truly worth cherishing.”

Which themes matter most right now?

“As I mentioned earlier, sustainability is an important theme, as are insurability and the growing dependence on reinsurers. When it comes to sustainability, the first step in knowledge-sharing is closely following regulatory developments and proactively translating them to the client’s specific situation. It requires strategic choices – not only from a risk or capital perspective, but also from a societal responsibility standpoint. For insurers, this means entrepreneurship and leadership, sometimes even swimming against the tide. Technology also plays a key role. AI helps us work more efficiently and deepen insights. But ultimately, it remains people’s work, and it’s about making well-considered decisions.”